The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has interrogated Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over the alleged leakage of sensitive voter information from the database of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Olayinka was reportedly questioned on Tuesday by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) at the Police Headquarters in Abuja as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of cyber-related offences, unauthorized access to electoral records, and the disclosure of classified information.

A serving INEC official, whose identity has not been made public, has also been detained in connection with the incident and is currently being investigated by security agencies.

How the Controversy Began

The investigation was triggered after Olayinka shared screenshots on his X (formerly Twitter) account showing details of Nollywood actor and politician Emeka Ike’s voter registration transfer from Imo State to the Federal Capital Territory.

Olayinka used the information to question Ike’s eligibility to contest for a House of Representatives seat in the FCT following the actor’s criticism of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primary election process.

The post immediately sparked public concern, with many Nigerians alleging that the information could only have been obtained through unauthorized access to INEC’s password-protected voter registration portal.

INEC Denies External Breach

Responding to the controversy, INEC stated on Tuesday that its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database was not hacked and had not suffered any external security breach.

According to the commission, preliminary findings indicated that the disclosure resulted from the misuse of legitimate internal access credentials by an authorized staff member rather than a cyberattack on its systems.

INEC Official Allegedly Shared Information

Sources familiar with the investigation disclosed that the detained electoral officer allegedly initiated contact with Olayinka through Facebook Messenger.

The official reportedly sought to provide evidence that Emeka Ike’s voter transfer request had only recently been submitted and was still awaiting approval.

After the initial contact, the officer allegedly forwarded the voter registration document to Olayinka via WhatsApp.

During questioning, Olayinka reportedly told investigators that he had no prior relationship with the INEC official and was unaware that the information shared with him was classified.

Sources further revealed that Olayinka maintained that the electoral officer never informed him that the document was restricted or confidential.

DSS Also Investigating

In addition to the police investigation, the Department of State Services (DSS) has launched a parallel probe into the circumstances surrounding the release of the voter information.

Security agencies are examining whether any laws relating to data protection, cybercrime, or the handling of classified government documents were violated.

Possible Charges

Investigators are said to be considering a range of charges against both Olayinka and the detained INEC official, including:

Criminal conspiracy

Cyber-related offences

Unauthorized disclosure of classified documents

Misuse of official credentials

Actions capable of causing a breach of public peace

The investigations by both the police and the DSS are ongoing, while INEC continues its internal review of the incident and the circumstances that led to the release of the voter data.

Commercial motorcyclists (Okada) and tricycle operators in Ekiti State have pledged their unflinching support for Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s re-election, assuring him of massive votes in appreciation of what they described as his people-oriented policies and excellent working relationship with transport unions.

The riders gave the assurance during an engagement with the Governor in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, where they commended the Governor for what they described as improved dialogue, better welfare consideration and efforts to stabilize the transport sector across the state. This , according to them have contributed to peace and stability in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the Okada riders, the Chairman of the association, Mr Kunle Asaolu commended the Governor for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of transport workers, noting that the administration has consistently responded to the needs of their members across the state.

He said the governor has demonstrated sincerity and reliability in governance by fulfilling promises made to members of the transport unions.

The Chairman added that the governor’s exemplary leadership and inclusive governance have brought unity and stability among transport workers, particularly through efforts aimed at reconciling previously divided groups within the sector.

He assured the governor that they would reciprocate the good gestures by mobilizing massive support and votes for his re-election come June 20.

Also speaking on behalf of the Tricycle riders Association, the Chairman, Mr Kunle Asaolu said there was virtually nothing the transport workers had requested that Governor Oyebanji had not addressed.

According to him, the governor has remained faithful to his promises and has continued to prioritize the interests of transport operators in the state.

Mr Akinola Alabi praised the Governor for restoring harmony among transport unions through deliberate reconciliation efforts, stressing that the peace being currently enjoyed within the sector is a testament to the administration’s commitment to inclusiveness. He pledged that members of the association would repay the governor’s support with overwhelming votes whenever the opportunity arises.

In his remarks, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who expressed appreciation to the transport workers for the confidence they reposed in him and his administration during the 2022 governorship election despite not knowing him closely at the time, said the trust placed in his government has yielded positive results, adding that the progress recorded in the state was made possible through the support and cooperation of the people.

Emphasizing the importance of the June 20 election, Governor Oyebanji said the date is crucial because it presents an opportunity for Ekiti people to ensure continuity of the developmental strides recorded by his administration.

“It is also an opportunity to appreciate President Bola Tinubu for what he described as unprecedented support for Ekiti State”, Governor Oyebaniji said. He added that no previous President had extended such goodwill to the state since its creation.

The Governor therefore urged the transport workers to come out en masse and vote for the ruling party as a way of encouraging the President to do even more for the state.

“Three and a half years ago, we came to you and asked you to vote for us, you took a gamble, you did not know us but you voted for us and that gamble has paid off today and I must thank you also for maintaining peace with each other.

“For this peace to continue, June 20 is very important to us for two reasons, first, for all these good works you have mentioned can continue, secondly we have a President that has been so good to us in Ekiti state, Ekiti is 29 years old, there is no President that has been this good to us since creation of Ekiti state. So, a President that has been so good to us deserves to be encouraged and the only way to encourage him is by coming out on June 20 and cast your vote for his party”. The Governor asserted

Also present at the forum were the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Director-General of the Campaign, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, Secretary to the State Government, Prof Habibat Adubiaro, Chief of Staff to the Governor and secretary of the Campaign Council, Mr Niyi Adebayo, among others

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Abuja following the Eid-el-Kabir holiday in Lagos, where he participated in a series of political, governmental, and national engagements.

The President arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 5:17 p.m. on Tuesday. He was received by top government officials, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu.

During the Sallah holiday, President Tinubu hosted several dignitaries and political leaders who paid him the traditional Eid homage. Among them were Vice President Kashim Shettima and members of the leadership of the Senate led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The President also received members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, led by its Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Other visitors included leaders and stakeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress from Oyo and Lagos states.

As part of activities marking the 70th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy, President Tinubu attended the International Fleet Review held at Eko Atlantic City Waterfront on Monday.

During the event, he commissioned three naval vessels — NNS Oloibiri, NNS Mambila, and NNS Gurara.
The President also held a bilateral meeting with Romuald Wadagni, where both leaders discussed strengthening diplomatic relations, regional cooperation, and economic ties between Nigeria and the neighbouring Benin.

Before the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, President Tinubu participated in the APC primary elections in Lagos. According to the Presidency, he emerged as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election after securing widespread support from party members across the country.

The President is expected to resume official engagements and continue overseeing government activities from the nation’s capital following his return.